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Tempe-based Spinato’s Pizzeria has embarked on an ownership structure that only 7,000 businesses around country and only one percent of Arizona companies offers, an Employee Ownership Stock Plan (ESOP).

Since opening 51 years ago, Spinato’s has grown to six Phoenix-area locations with more than 420 employees. The pizza company is the Official Pizza of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury (NBA and WNBA basketball teams) and the Official Pizza of the Arizona Cardinals (NFL football team). With the ESOP announcement, 150 Spinato’s employees join the six family members as owners.

This week on The Hot Slice, we sit down with Anthony Spinato, President & CEO, to learn all about the new ESOP. We dive into what led the family to create the ESOP and the process to make it a reality. Listen to the goosebump moment when Anthony shared the news with longtime team members.

Read Spinato’s ESOP Announcement.

Learn more about Spinato’s and on Instagram @ spinatospizza.

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When you are looking for an added revenue source, have you ever considered a state fair? This week’s guest, Nick Sanford went all in at the New York State Fair. Nick owns Toss & Fire with three locations and a fleet of food trucks around Syracuse, New York.

This is the third year Toss & Fire has had a presence at the New York State Fair, but this year, Sanford took over a prime location. From fair-exclusive pizza specials, a pre-fair marketing blitz to the logistics of temporarily closing and store and adjusting staffing, you won’t believe how big it paid off. Stick around on the podcast to listen to how many pizzas Toss & Fire sold at the state fair.

Nick is no stranger to high traffic output. With food trucks running at concurrent events and high-volume stores, Nick shares how he and his team are able to execute at a high level.

Toss & Fire was the 2024 Pizza Company of the Year Northeast Region in Pizza Today’s P.IE. Awards. This year, the pizzeria celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Learn more about Toss & Fire at https://www.tossnfirepizza.com/ and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tossnfirepizza/.

Show Notes:

Nominations are open for the 3rd annual Pizza Industry Excellence (PIE Awards). We are looking to give awards in seven categories, plus Pizza Company of the Year by Region. Apply today at:https://pizzatoday.com/pie-awards/

National Pizza Month in October is approaching fast. Go to the National Pizza Month Pizzeria Tool Kit: https://pizzatoday.com/nationalpizzamonth/

There is no better way to celebrate National Pizza Month than by attending Pizza Expo Columbus! Register now! https://registration.pizzaexpocolumbus.com/event/2025

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This week on The Hot Slice Podcast, we chat with a visionary young operator who bought her first Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza franchise as while she was still in high school.

Lily worked at a local Papa Murphy’s before jumping at the opportunity to become a franchisee. Though savings and a loan from a family friend, Lily and her family made the purchase. Lily is the majority owner and runs the day-to-day operations.

During her first year, she has remodeled her store, embraced her leadership role with a fresh approach and integrated herself and the restaurant into the community. Her store has achieved double-digit year-over-year growth, including a February week where sales more than doubled compared to the year prior. The brand has recognized that they have a shining star in their ranks. Lily was recently named “Rookie of the Year” by the brand during its Minneapolis conference.

We chat all about how she was able to get into the business so young, as well as managing a team. Don’t miss how martial arts helped her take the lead at her shop in Sioux City. Find out what she’s focused on now and what comes next.

Show Notes:

Nominations are open for the 3rd annual Pizza Industry Excellence (PIE Awards). We are looking to give awards in seven categories, plus Pizza Company of the Year by Region. Apply today at:https://pizzatoday.com/pie-awards/

National Pizza Month in October is approaching fast. Go to the National Pizza Month Pizzeria Tool Kit: https://pizzatoday.com/nationalpizzamonth/

There is no better way to celebrate National Pizza Month than by attending Pizza Expo Columbus! Register now! https://registration.pizzaexpocolumbus.com/event/2025